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Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Cuba's President Raul Castro attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soviet Soldier monument in Havana November 28, 2008. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa
Posted on 11/28/2008 2:30:23 PM PST by NormsRevenge
HAVANA (Reuters) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Friday as Moscow rebuilt ties with an old Cold War ally during a trip to strengthen its political and economic clout in Latin America.
The meeting came at the end of Medvedev's tour of the region, which has been seen as an attempt by Russia to taunt Washington in its traditional backyard as well as boost Moscow's trade with the region.
"This has been a great visit, a magnificent visit, and now he is going to see Fidel," Cuban President and Fidel's brother, Raul Castro, told reporters after Medvedev laid flowers at a monument to the Soviet era.
Medvedev had traveled from Venezuela, where he and anti-U.S. leader President Hugo Chavez oversaw joint naval exercises as tensions between Moscow and Washington simmer over U.S. missile defense plans in Europe and Russia's brief war with Georgia.
Moscow was Havana's main benefactor during the Cold War but the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union battered Cuba's economy. Ties soured further after then-President Vladimir Putin closed Russia's Lourdes intelligence base on the island in 2001.
Fidel Castro, 82, who ruled Cuba for 49 years before Raul became president in February, has not been seen in public since undergoing surgery in July 2006. But he writes regular newspaper columns and meets with foreign leaders.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
another “Weekend at Bernie’s” moment for the remains of Fidel Castro......
.Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Cuba's President Raul Castro attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soviet Soldier monument in Havana November 28, 2008. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa
laying flowers at Fidel’s gravesite?
Is that Obama carrying the flowers?
Mr Medvedev would be more at home here in Alaska with a foot of snow and temperature hardly above +10 in two months. He’s probably like to meet the Governor, but there wouldn’t be any goose stepping flower sojurs.
shhh now,, I’m waiting for some pics of the visit w/Fidel’s double, well, his latest one anyway.. ;-)
Another 1962 “Cuban Missle Crisis”? The Russians tested JFK; are they getting ready to test BHO?
Wonder if he asked them to open the coffin?
Hey, Nobam, get yer ears on? :)
Dmitry’s yelling atcha.
Why hasn’t that MoFo assumed room temperature yet?
Visiting Castro would be much like visiting Lenin.
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